Daily WHUFC News - 2nd October 2012

Big Sam delighted with QPR win
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was a happy man as West Ham United got their away campaign
started with a win at QPR
02.10.2012

Sam Allardyce said he was simply 'delighted' to see West Ham United get the
first away win of the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season under their
belt with a 2-1 victory at Queens Park Rangers on Monday night. Big Sam's
side were the dominant force for much of the game, and took the spoils
courtesy of Matt Jarvis' first goal for the club and Ricardo Vaz Te's maiden
goal of the season. The Hammers were driven to victory by the inspired
midfield trio of Mark Noble, Momo Diame and Kevin Nolan, who dominated the
game for the visitors and ensured that it was east London who ended up with
the bragging rights. "It was a great, great victory for us and our first
away in the Barclays Premier League this season," Allardyce said. "We showed
great character, great spirit and great belief from the team. "I'm
delighted. Against a lot of the odds we still went ahead and won this game
and won it a lot more comfortably than the score suggested. To be honest at
2-0 at half time you'd have thought I'd be satisfied but because of the
amount of chances we created in the first half I was disappointed it wasn't
three. "I thought Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan and Momo Diame controlled the game
for us. All three were the reason why got so many things going forward. The
service that they provide to the wide men was key as it allowed us to create
the chances. The goals were two very good finishes as the angles were very
acute. We had easier chances than them and missed them."

The night could not have really got off to a better start as Jarvis nodded
in Nolan's looping cross from the right from three yards out. It got even
better for the Hammers ten minutes before the break, when Vaz Te expertly
flicked home a James Tomkins cross with the outside of his foot from an
acute angle. "It was a great start for us and a great piece of football from
our team. We were on the front foot and completely dominating the game
playing away from home in the Premier League for the first time since we got
promoted. People would expect us to sit back but we have shown our ability
as an attacking side. We got two exceptionally good goals. "The difficulty
came in the second half when Taarabt scored that wonderful goal. One goal
changes the game. If it was 3-0 at half time that one goal wouldn't have
mattered at all. They put us under the cosh but we showed our defensive
resilience."

Abdel Taarabt had pulled one back for the Hoops with a sensational 30-yard
strike just minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute. The goal
instantly game the home team and their supporters a lift and some courageous
defending and fine goalkeeping from Jussi Jaaskelainen were needed to help
keep them at bay. There was some cause for concern midway through the half
when Jaaskelainen accidently caught Winston Reid in the face with his elbow.
After spending a few minutes on the floor, the New Zealand international
gingerly made his way to his feet to trudge off the pitch to be replaced by
James Tomkins. Joey O'Brien was also taken off for George McCartney after
tweaking a hamstring. "QPR have gone out and spent a lot of money. We've
come to their place and been the better side. We've had to overcome two
injuries in the first half. Unfortunately Jussi knocked out Reid and then
Joey felt his hamstring. We didn't look defensively any weaker when George
McCartney and James Tomkins came on, which is fantastic for me. "The
defensive unit was brilliant and the attacking unit was first class too,
other than one or two finishes that could have been better "We'll find out
how Winston is on Tuesday but he seems OK in the dressing room. The medical
team think he might have had a slight concussion but hopefully he will
recover in time for Saturday's game with Arsenal."

Vaz Te and Matt Jarvis were also hugely influential as part of an effective
counter-attacking unit,causing QPR full-backs Nedum Onuoha and Clint Hill no
end of problems. Vaz Te had double reason to celebrate after his goal as it
fell on the day he turned 26, with his manager happy to see another step
taken towards rediscovering his very best form. "He's got to feel his way
into the Barclays Premier League. He's been there as a young man and
injuries took their toll along with a lack of experience. Now he's got all
the experience he needs to show the ability that he's got and he certainly
showed that. "The goals will do him and Matt Jarvis the world of good as the
more variety we get from different players, the better we become and the
more points we will pick up."

Carlton Cole had an impressive game up front but missed a good opportunity
on 67 minutes to grab the goal his performance deserved. The West Ham No9
made way for the fit-again Andy Carroll on 72 minutes, and the loan signing
quickly set about hassling the home defence, with the Hammers' cause helped
by the sending off of QPR substitute Samba Diakite for a second booking. "We
came out and moved the ball quickly and caught them on the break and got
better after the sending off. "Andy could be very important for us alongside
Carlton Cole. Modibo Maiga could also be key for us. We kept bringing Maiga
on as sub and in the Capital Cup games so we think he is improving. What we
needed against QPR was Andy Carroll just for the last 20 minutes when
Carlton tired. "His aim was to hold the ball up and be a target for us so we
could stop QPR's pressure and it changed the game back in our favour. The
sending off did as well of course. Andy started holding the ball up and we
started creating more chances but for some great saves from the goalkeeper
we could have won this game by more."

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Turgott provides Hope
WHUFC.com
Blair Turgott featured as England ended their UEFA European U19 Championship
qualifiers on a high
01.10.2012

Blair Turgott notched a vital assist in England Under-19s' UEFA European
Championship 1-1 qualifying draw with Ukraine on Monday. Both sides had
already qualified for next spring's Elite Round going into the game but
Hallum Hope's added-time header from Turgott's free-kick meant England
topped the group ahead of their opponents. England will now receive a more
favourable draw in the Elite Round of qualifying for next year's finals in
Lit huania.Noel Blake's side looked set to finish second in their group when
Vladyslav Pavlenko hit the net with just two minutes remaining, but England
refused to be beaten and the Everton youngster nudged home with seconds to
spare. Turgott will now return to West Ham United and join up with the
Development Squad ahead of their next Barclays U21 Premier League Group 1
fixture at Blackburn Rovers on Monday.

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QPR 1 West Ham 2
By Ben Smith
BBC Sport

West Ham heaped more misery on 10-man Queens Park Rangers as they held on to
win at Loftus Road and keep their hosts bottom of the Premier League.
Record signing Matt Jarvis gave West Ham a dream start by heading in after
three minutes and Ricardo Vaz Te poked in to double the lead before
half-time.
QPR rallied after the interval and Adel Taarabt cut the deficit, but the
hosts had Samba Diakite sent off late on. And West Ham held on despite eight
yellow cards - a Premier League record. The result, West Ham's first away
win of the season, moves Sam Allardyce's side up to seventh in the table and
there was more cause for optimism as striker Andy Carroll played the final
20 minutes after returning from his hamstring problem. But this was another
damaging defeat for winless QPR, who have now taken only two league points
from a possible 18 this season. Having been backed heavily by owner Tony
Fernandes during the summer transfer window, the pressure is likely to mount
on manager Mark Hughes, who will in turn point to a string of defensive
injuries. Sharper to the ball and swifter to use it, West Ham dominated the
opening 45 minutes. QPR finally found their rythym in the second half,
inspired by the creativity and energy of Taarabt, but it was too little, too
late. West Ham worked hard and counter-attacked intelligently, using the
energy of Mohamed Diame and the guile of Vaz Te, but it was by no means a
classic performance and both of their goals owed more to perspiration than
inspiration. Their first came as early as the third minute after Vaz Te
skipped beyond a desperate lunge from Clint Hill on the right. The
Portuguese cut the ball back to Kevin Nolan on the edge of the area and his
looping cross was headed in by Jarvis at the back post. QPR threatened in
fits and starts, with Bobby Zamora firing well over from 12 yards and
Djibril Cisse drawing an acrobatic save from Jussi Jaaskelainen with an
athletic volley. But West Ham remained the better side and the second goal
followed soon after. James Tomkins lofted the ball to the back post after
QPR failed to clear from a corner and Vaz Te stretched out his right leg,
with the ball beating goalkeeper Julio Cesar thanks to the slightest
deflection off Stephane Mbia's arm. QPR responded to their manager's
half-time words with the kind of spirit and energy that they had been
lacking. Taarabt shattered the mediocrity with the game's single moment of
brilliance, unleashing a fizzing 30-yarder that flashed into the top corner,
84 seconds after coming on as a substitute.

West Ham's Jaaskelainen was the busier of the two goalkeepers now, saving
brilliantly from Esteban Granero's shot after a clever touch by Cisse,
although Carlton Cole should have made the victory more comfortable for West
Ham but prodded wide with the goal at his mercy after a slide-rule pass by
the tireless Nolan. But just as QPR came again, Diakite lunged in on Vaz Te
to collect a second yellow card, 25 minutes after coming on as a substitute,
to take the wind out of QPR's sails. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said:
"We've achieved our first Barclays Premier League away win, which is no mean
feat for a newly promoted team. I think the outstanding qualities we showed,
both in our ability to take the game to the opposition away from home and
our ability to score goals. were fantastic to see. "As the underdogs, having
just been promoted, to come to QPR and take the game to them and dominate
that first half was great. If I had to say anything, I was a little bit
disappointed we didn't get more than two. "There were an awful lot of fouls
and decisions the referee gave that he didn't need to do and an awful lot of
yellow cards he gave nearly spoilt the game."

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QPR 1 West Ham Utd 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 2nd October 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are celebrating their first away win in the Premier League since
February 2011 after beating Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road tonight. A
scintillating first half display was the foundation upon which United's
first away win of the 2012/13 campaign - and the first since winning 3-1 at
Blackpool under Avram Grant - was built. Goals from Matt Jarvis and Ricardo
Vaz Te saw the Hammers take a 2-0 lead into the break and although they
conceded early on in the second period, the Hammers clung on to rise to
seventh spot in the table. Rangers, who have endured a shocking start to the
campaign offered little and ended the match with ten men after substitute
Diakite - who had only been on the pitch for 19 minutes - received his
marching orders with quarter-of-an-hour to go. Trigger-happy referee Mark
Clattenburg booked ten players on the night - an astonishing EIGHT of which
were from West Ham - yet somehow Sam Allardyce's team managed to finish the
game with all eleven still on the field. He was also criticised for playing
six minutes of extra time when there had been few reasons to add on time in
the second period bar substitutions. However West Ham amanged to cling on to
record a much deserved win regardless. The healthy and vocal travelling
contingent, which had made the short trip across London waited just three
minutes for the first goal of the night to arrive. Skipper Kevin Nolan's
initial shot - the result of some interplay between him and Ricardo Vaz Te -
was heading wide of the target before club-record signing Jarvis appeared at
the back post to send a deft header across Rangers 'keeper Julio Cesar into
the far corner. The Hammers almost scored a second on 11 minutes when Momo
Diame's 25-yard effort dipped just over the crossbar. However they were
forced to wait until ten minutes from the break before eventually doubling
their lead.

Mark Noble's free kick found its way out to James Tomkins, on as a
substitute for the injured Winston Reid. The central defender lobbed the
ball back into the mix where Vaz Te stole in at the far post to find the net
with a deft flick that took a slight deflection on the way in. The goal was
met by a wry smile from former West Ham number one Rob Green - who has
already lost his place at his new club - and captured perfectly by the TV
cameras. The only sour note of an otherwise excellent first half was the
injury to Reid which occured after he collided with Jussi Jaaskelainen as
the two sought to clear a ball into the box. The New Zealander lay prone for
several minutes before being replaced by Tomkins. The home side halved the
deficit just 12 minutes into the second half when substitute Taarabt found
the net with an impressive effort from outside the box. And although Jussi
Jaaskelainen had to be alert to keep West Ham ahead on a couple of occasions
thereafter, it was West Ham who went closest to adding what would have been
the game's fourth goal when a rejuvenated Vaz Te saw a wonderful dipping
volley turned against the cross bar by Cesar.

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Hammers pile more woe on Hoops
Jarvis and Vaz Te on target for happy Hammers
Last Updated: October 1, 2012 10:58pm
SSN

QPR remain without a Premier League win and bottom of the table after West
Ham inflicted a 2-1 defeat on the 10-man Hoops at Loftus Road in Monday
night's London derby.

Man of the match: Mark Noble gets the nod from us after shining in midfield
for the Hammers with a hard-working display.
Goal of the match: Adel Taarabt was quick to make an impact off the bench,
looping a wonderful effort over Jussi Jaaskelainen just seconds after coming
on the pitch.
Save of the match: Jaaskelainen pulled off a string of crucial blocks to
keep out the Hoops in the second half and the most notable was his
one-handed save which denied Esteban Granero.
Chance of the match: Kevin Nolan set up Carlton Cole with a gilt-edged
chance from close range after Samba Diakite had slipped to lose possession
but the striker poked it wide.
Talking point: Can QPR recover from a disastrous start to the season or is
relegation calling already? West Ham have marched into seventh but will they
be able to maintain their momentum?

The result marked a first away win for the Hammers this season and saw Sam
Allardyce's men climb into seventh at the expense of Mark Hughes'
strugglers.
West Ham wasted little time breaking the deadlock in West London as Matt
Jarvis scored in just the third minute, nodding home after Kevin Nolan and
Ricardo Vaz Te had paired up with a great one-two. The lively Vaz Te then
added another in the 35th minute, squeezing home a tidy James Tomkins cross
after the Hoops defence had failed to properly clear a Hammers corner.
Substitute Adel Taarabt pulled one back with a classy strike in the second
half only seconds after coming on the pitch to inspire glimmers of hope in
Hughes' side and Hammers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was forced to pull
off a string of impressive saves.

But QPR's woes were compounded with 15 minutes remaining when Samba Diakite
was sent off after earning his second booking 20 minutes after coming off
the bench and they were unable to see the comeback through. West Ham also
saw chances go begging late on, with Andy Carroll coming close after making
his comeback from a hamstring injury as a 72nd-minute substitute.

Indiscipline

Referee Mark Clattenburg handed out 11 bookings in all and eight of those
went to players in claret and blue, who will be fined for indiscipline but
held out for three valuable points. Coming into the game, the surprise team
news was that Carroll was deemed fit enough to be included amongst the
substitutes after missing the past four matches with a hamstring injury.
Former West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green was on the opposing bench and was
taunted from the start by the vocal visiting support, having lost his place
in the QPR team just four games after his summer move from Upton Park.

The England international was reminded of his decision throughout the match
by 1,681 away supporters, who had a goal to cheer after just three minutes.
Kevin Nolan linked up well with Vaz Te down the left but struck a poor
scooped effort that was going harmlessly wide until Jarvis snuck in to nod
home past Julio Cesar. It was a bolt out of the blue in what was an
unspectacular opening, although the Hammers came close to a second in the
11th minute when Mohamed Diame's 25-yard thunderbolt deflected off Ryan
Nelsen and flew just over.

Joey O'Brien reacted quickly to stop James Collins putting into his own goal
from an Esteban Granero free-kick that saw an unfortunate collision between
Winston Reid and his own goalkeeper. The New Zealand international required
nearly four minutes of treatment after appearing to be knocked out by Jussi
Jaaskelainen and saw James Tomkins come on in his place. The break in play
did not change the game's momentum as only Stephane Mbia's quick reactions
prevented Diame getting a head on a right-wing Nolan cross.

It was not all positive for West Ham, though, as O'Brien became their second
casualty of the first half and had to be replaced by George McCartney 11
minutes from half-time. The injuries were the only blot on a fine opening 45
minutes for West Ham, which got better as Vaz Te doubled the visitors'
advantage moments later. Mark Noble swung in a free-kick and the resulting
penalty-box melee was cleared only as far as Tomkins, whose superb
first-time cross was met by an equally impressive acrobatic effort from Vaz
Te. "Greeno, what's the score?" rung around Loftus Road following the goal
and would have gone up a notch had a Carlton Cole header or Noble's
deflected long-range strike found the target. The latter and Diame were both
booked heading into the break from which West Ham returned on top. Cesar did
well to deny Diame three minutes after the restart and it took until the
55th-minute introductions of Taarabt and Diakite to change course. The
former was welcomed with particularly loud cheers and showed why within two
minutes, making space to curl home an exquisite 25-yard effort into the top
right-hand corner.

Celebration

Taarabt was booked for lifting his shirt and was soon joined in
Clattenburg's notebook by fellow replacement Diakite. West Ham's McCartney
was the next, before Jaaskelainen was reprimanded shortly after denying
Granero with an excellent stop. Cole and Nolan both received yellow cards as
the match became a bit of a farce and Allardyce soon brought on Carroll for
the former. Jaaskelainen spilled a driven Cisse shot at the near post as QPR
pushed for an equaliser, before the hosts' task was made all the more
difficult as Diakite received a second yellow a late lunge on Diame. Vaz Te
had an excellent strike palmed onto the bar by Cesar after Collins became
the seventh West Ham player to be booked. Cisse and Alejandro Faurlin were
both denied by Jaaskelainen as QPR pushed for a leveller that never came as
West Ham held out for victory, although not before Tomkins became the final
player booked.

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West Ham captain Kevin Nolan hails crucial win for his side against QPR
Last Updated: October 2, 2012 12:06am
SSN

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan was glad to see his side claim an 'absolutely
vital' first away triumph of the Premier League season. The promoted Hammers
took a third-minute lead against hosts QPR through Matt Jarvis' first goal
for the club before Ricardo Vaz Tedoubled their advantage in the 35th
minute, both goals coming from far-post finishes. QPR pulled a goal back
with a stunning 57th-minute effort from Adel Taarabt just moments after he
came on as a substitute, but they lost Samba Diakite to a second yellow card
15 minutes from time and the remaining 10 men could not find an equaliser.
The result leaves QPR rooted to the foot of the standings with only two
points from six games, while West Ham moved into the top seven, with
Tottenham and West Brom on 11 points.

Nolan told Sky Sports of the win: "It was absolutely vital. Absolutely
delighted with the win today. "They made us work for the win in the second
half. It was a fantastic first-half performance, the second half I thought
we dug in and we could have won it by more in the end really." Nolan also
praised his side for the way they fought to hold off QPR's attempted
comeback after the break. "We knew at some point they had to make changes,
we had to be ready for that and I thought we dealt with it well," he said.
"It was a great goal (from Taarabt ) but I thought after that we responded
well, we dug in, they had the man sent off which helped us, but I thought
overall we were well deserving of the win. "Tonight we proved we are tough
to beat and we have quality."

Resilience

Man-of-the-match Mark Noble also hailed West Ham's resilience after QPR
battled for a way back and is already looking ahead to another London derby
when the Hammers host Arsenal this weekend. He said: "I think in the first
half we controlled the game. We got an early goal, then got another one and
controlled it from then on. "It's a tough place to come and play here and
when they scored their goal we had to dig in and fight and we've done that
tonight, the lads were brilliant. "The morale's brilliant, we've had a good
start. Obviously we've got Arsenal next week so we've got to concentrate on
that one now, it's going to be a tough game."

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce felt his side put on a Jekyll and Hyde
performance in the 2-1 win at QPR
Last Updated: October 1, 2012 11:22pm
SSN

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce felt his side put on a Jekyll and Hyde
performance in the 2-1 win at QPR. The result, courtesy of goals from
Ricrado Vaz Te and Matt Jarvis,lifted West Ham to seventh - their highest
position in four years - but the manager felt his side could have made
matters easier for themselves.
"We showed two sides of our team," he told Sky Sports. "The one side was the
great first half we gave and completely dominated the opposition on their
own ground. "We are a newly promoted team and we have taken the game to QPR
and led through two quality finishes. Let's face it it could have been more
than 2-0 at half-time. "Adel Taarabt's brilliant strike to make it 2-1 was a
worry for us because it lifted the crowd and their players. "We had to show
the other side of our character which is good honest hard work and
defending. After they had a man sent off, we should really have seen the
game off with more goals."

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Should we Attempt to Sign Andy Carroll in January?
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

Tonight's victory is the first at Loftus Road that I can recall since the
mid-1970s. I said that we had to break that duck some time and so it prove
tonight. Thankfully, Allardyce set up a very attacking away formation and we
took the game to QPR from the kick off. Going in at half-time 0-2 up was
fully deserved, considering our domination of the game up to that point.
That first half performance was extremely impressive and at the heart of it
was the industry and skill of the midfeld triumvirite of Noble, Diame and
Nolan. Their collective work in midfield allowed us dominate QPR and bring
the sparkling skills of Vaz Te and Jarvis in to the game. It was also a very
brave and hard running performance from Carlton Cole, which should have
rightfully been rewarded with a goal.

Overall, it was an excellent team performance and everyone played their
part. It was particularly good to see Tomkins, McCartney and Carroll enter
the fray. Cole gave a committed performance, full of running and the use of
his physicality to disrupt the QPR defence, and then he duly gave way to
Andy Carroll, who had an instant positive impact on the course of the game.
QPR made changes early in the 2nd half and scored soon thereafter. From the
time Taarabt scored with his powerful drive, QPR managed to gain the upper
hand, for a period, and West Ham had to really dig in and fight to prevent
an equaliser. Seeing this, Sam Allardyce obviously felt that Carroll's
introduction would set QPR different problems and give his team a new outlet
to relieve the mounting pressure on the West Ham defence. And so it proved,
as West Ham found Carroll with balls forward that (in conjunction with the
QPR red card) changed the flow of the game back in West Ham's favour.
Carroll was clearly a lacking in match fitness, after his injury lay-off,
but made a willing target man, caused the QPR defenders continual problems
and even had time to carry out defensive duties, when called upon to do so.

It was an impressive re-introduction to the West Ham Utd FC first team and
the club's management and board must know (in the unlikely event that they
did not know before!) what an absolute gem they have in Andy Carroll. One
wonders whether, if Carroll's performances continue in this impressive vein,
the board might consider financing a permanent deal in January? Obviously,
if Liverpool honour the full one year loan agreement, then West Ham will
stick to the original plan to thrash out a permanent deal next summer.
However, if there is any suggestion of a Liverpool recall, might not the
board consider exercising its 'first option in to buy' in January instead?
Of course, it all depends on the finances of the club and whether we are in
a position to do it in January. However, if our PL status looks fairly safe
come the New Year, might not the board splash out in anticipation of the
following season's increased TV revenue being virtually in the bag?
Similarly, another positive background factor might be West Ham winning the
tenancy of the Olympic Stadium, with the anticipated additional revenue from
the sale of Upton Park and access to strong, new revenue streams, from 2014
onwards, as a result of occupying a 60,000 capacity OS.

Personally, I suspect that recall will not be an issue as long as Rogers
remains the Liverpool Manager. Carroll does not fit in to his system or
intended playing style, so a recall would most likely be to finance a deal
to sign an alternative striker. But, in practical terms, can they actually
do that in January? Would not such a deal break FIFA rules, in terms of
Caroll appearing for three different clubs in a single season? As such, the
probability is that, whilst Rogers is at the helm, Liverpool would leave
Carroll at West Ham, with a view to cashing in next summer. At least at West
Ham, Carroll would be playing regularly, in the shop window and proving his
worth, rather than just warming the bench at Anfield.

It's an interesting situation but, I guess, we will have to wait and see
what happens this January?

SJ. Chandos.

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Be Carr-ful with Andy
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 5 hrs ago
The Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE last night urged Roy Hodgson to go easy on star striker Andy
Carroll. England boss Hodgson saw Carroll return from a month out with a
hamstring injury as a sub in West Ham's 2-1 win at QPR. Carroll could
feature when Hodgson names his squad on Thursday for the World Cup
qualifiers against San Marino and Poland. But boss Allardyce warned: "Andy's
woefully short of match practice — I'm sure Roy will deal with that in the
right way."

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QPR 1 West Ham 2
Last Updated: 02nd October 2012
The Sun

MARK HUGHES is sure he will be given time to put things right at QPR.
Rock-bottom Rangers are still looking for their first top-flight win of the
season after crashing to the Hammers. The odds on Harry Redknapp taking over
at the Hoops were last night slashed to 15-8. But current boss Sparky said:
"I think I will be given the time to see this job through. "We've had big
investment in the club and we're looking to improve — and we will. "It's
still early days but until we get positive results on board, everything is
up for debate and focus comes on the club. We just need to start winning
football matches and then everything else will go away." On this evidence,
that is easier said than done. First-half goals from Matt Jarvis and Ricardo
Vaz Te put West Ham firmly in control. And although Rangers hit back
strongly after sending on Adel Taarabt for the last 35 minutes, they looked
like a team destined for relegation. Hughes admitted: "I thought our
performance in the first half was a step backwards."

Vaz Te pulled the ball back to his skipper Kevin Nolan, whose outstretched
right leg sent it spiralling to the far post where the unmarked Jarvis
nodded back across the face of goal and into the net. Mo Diame almost made
it 2-0 with a deflected effort which flew inches wide before West Ham were
dealt a blow when defender Winston Reid went off seeing stars in the 23rd
minute following a collision with his own keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. Yet the
New Zealander's replacement, James Tomkins, crossed for Vaz Te to hook the
second goal past a flapping Julio Cesar 10 minutes before the break. With
the natives restless, Hughes sent on Taarabt and Samba Diakite on 55 minutes
and the game almost turned. Taarabt, axed after Rangers' opening-day 5-0
home spanking by Swansea, announced his return in glorious fashion. The
Moroccan's first touch saw him mug Guy Demel, before cutting inside and
curling a beauty past Jaaskelainen. Esteban Granero and Alejandro Faurlin
were both denied equalisers by superb stops from the Finnish keeper. But
just when it looked like Rangers might salvage a point, Diakite was sent off
in the 75th minute after his second booking following a rash challenge on
Demel.

Andy Carroll returned as a late sub for West Ham and should have made it
3-1. But he was thwarted by Cesar, then blasted the rebound into Row Z. It
was West Ham's first league away win this season — but they face a £25,000
fine after fussy ref Mark Clattenburg booked EIGHT of their players. Boss
Sam Allardyce said: "It didn't spoil the result as far as we were concerned
but some of his decisions nearly spoilt the game as a spectacle." The
Hammers are now up to seventh yet Big Sam added: "I'm just a bit
disappointed we didn't score more."

DREAM TEAM
SUN STAR MAN — COLLINS (WEST HAM)
QPR: Julio Cesar 6, Hill 5, Nelsen 5, Mbia 5, Onuoha 5, Wright-Phillips 6,
Granero 7, Faurlin 6, Park 5, Zamora 6, Cisse 6. Subs: Diakite (Park 55) 4,
Taarabt (Wright-Phillips 56) 7, Hoilett (Onuoha 84) 5. Not used: Green,
Mackie, Ephraim, Ehmer. Booked: Taarabt, Diakite. Sent off: Diakite.
WEST HAM: Jaaskelainen 7, Demel 6, Reid 5, Collins 7, O'Brien 5, Noble 7,
Diame 6, Vaz Te 6, Nolan 7, Jarvis 7, Cole 7. Subs: Tomkins (Reid 23) 7,
McCartney (O'Brien 35) 5, Carroll (Cole 72) 5. Not used: Henderson, Maiga,
Benayoun, O'Neil. Booked: Diame, Noble, McCartney, Jaaskelainen, Cole,
Nolan, Collins, Tomkins.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce thrilled with win, but not ref
Thurrockgazette.co.uk
6:17am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2012

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was delighted by his side's performance at
QPR on Monday night but rather less enamoured by referee Mark Clattenburg.
The Hammers secured their first away league win of the season thanks to a
fine 2-1 victory in west London, with record signing Matt Jarvis netting
after three minutes. Ricardo Vaz Te acrobatically doubled the visitors'
advantage and, while substitute Adel Taarabt pulled one back in style, West
Ham held on for a victory that propels them to seventh. "We've achieved our
first Barclays Premier League (away) win, which is no mean feat for a
newly-promoted team," Allardyce said. "I think the outstanding qualities we
showed today both in our ability to take the game to the opposition away
from home and our ability to score goals was fantastic to see."

He added: "As the underdogs, having just been promoted, to come to QPR and
take the game to them and dominate that first half was great for me to see.
If I had to say anything, I was a little bit disappointed we didn't get more
than two." The only blot on a fine evening for the Hammers were the enforced
first-half substitutions of Winston Reid through concussion and Joey O'Brien
due to a hamstring injury. It could have been a whole lot worse, though, as
referee Clattenburg handed out eight yellow cards to West Ham players. "He
hasn't spoilt our result but if you look at the spectacle as a game I think
there were an awful lot of fouls and decisions he gave that he didn't need
to do," Allardyce said.

QPR manager Mark Hughes was also frustrated with Clattenburg, who sent off
substitute Samba Diakite after handing him two yellow cards in a 20-minute
period. "He has made two similar challenges," the Welshman said. "I wouldn't
say they were reckless. "The first one was a genuine attempt to get the ball
but the lad has just nicked it away from him. It doesn't warrant a yellow
card in my view. Some referees give them, some don't." Asked if he was
confident he would get time to see the job through, the QPR boss said: "I
would think so. We have had a big investment and we're looking to improve
this year and we will."

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 1st October 2012

QPR match preview
WHUFC.com
All of the early team news and statistics ahead of Monday night's game at
Loftus Road
01.10.2012

QUEENS PARK RANGERS V WEST HAM UNITED
Barclays Premier League
Monday 1 October 2012
KICK-OFF: 8.00pm
REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg

FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I PODCAST
Introduction

• West Ham United travel to Loftus Road on Monday to face London rivals
Queens Park Rangers for the first time in just under eight years.
• A Championship encounter at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 6 November 2004
was the last time the two sides met. West Ham United came away with a 2-1
win that day thanks to goals either side of half time from Marlon Harewood.
• The last time the sides met at tonight's venue, Loftus Road, QPR took all
three points as a solitary goal from Matthew Rose extended the Hoops'
winning streak to seven. The last Premier League meeting between the two
sides also ended in a QPR win on 27 April 1996.
• It has been over 17 years since the two sides shared the points, when on 3
May 1995 the game ended in a goalless draw.
• The Hammers have played just two Barclays Premier League games away from
home so far this season and are still searching for their first win. Their
first trip away from home ended in a 3-0 defeat at Swansea City but last
time out they secured a hard-fought point at Carrow Road against Norwich
City in a goalless game.
• Sam Alardyce is set to ring the changes after Tuesday night's Capital One
Cup home defeat to Wigan Athletic. There were a total of nine changes to the
Hammers side that had drawn 1-1 with Sunderland last Saturday for that game,
so it is expected that a large number of the Sunderland starting XI will be
recalled. Kevin Nolan, Momo Diame, Winston Reid and Jussi Jaaskelainen are
among those set to return.
• Two former West Ham United players could start tonight for QPR. Kieron
Dyer could be called into the starting XI in place of the injured Jose
Bosingwa, with Bobby Zamora set to lead the line after scoring for the Hoops
against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. Former Hammer Anton Ferdinand is set
to miss the match with a hamstring injury, while Julio Cesar is expected to
start in goal ahead of Robert Green.
• QPR are yet to win a Barclays Premier League game this season, they were
beaten 5-0 on the opening day by Swansea City, but responded with a 1-1 draw
against Norwich City and a 3-0 win over Walsall in the Capital One Cup. A
3-1 defeat at Manchester City followed and despite an impressive 0-0 draw
with Chelsea, they returned to losing ways last weekend by falling to
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1.
• West Ham United's clash with QPR is the only Barclays Premier League
fixture taking place on Monday.

Last time out

Tuesday 25 September 2012
Capital One Cup
West Ham United 4-1 Wigan Athletic
West Ham United: Henderson, McCartney, Tomkins, Spence, Potts, Jarvis, Noble
(Taylor 72), O'Neil (Tombides 84), Maiga, Vaz Te (Fanimo 62), Hall.
Subs not used: Spiegel, Collins, Driver, McCallum.
Goals: Maiga 7.

Wednesday 26 September 2012
Capital One Cup
Queens Park Rangers 2-3 Reading
Queens Park Rangers: Julio Cesar, Hill, Onuoha, Park Ji-Sung, Granero, Dyer
(Nelsen 65), Faurlin (Diakite 87), M'bia, Cisse, Mackie, Hoilett.
Subs not used: Green, Derry, Wright-Phillips, Ehmer, Zamora.
Goals: Hoilett 14, Cisse 71.

Previous meetings

• West Ham United's last encounter with Queens Park Rangers ended in a 2-1
win in 2004. Harewood scored both of the Hammers' goals and the club went
onto clinch promotion to the Barclays Premier League via the Play-Offs that
same season.
• Harewood opened the scoring from the spot after Luke Chadwick was brought
down in the box by Danny Shittu and the Hammers had numerous other penalty
shouts waved away before the Hoops levelled after 72 minutes through Kevin
McLeod. Shortly after, Zamora was introduced and he would play a pivotal
role in Harewood's winning goal by taking a host of defenders out of the
equation with a neat step-over, allowing Harwood to power home with six
minutes remaining.
• The teams that day were:

West Ham United: Bywater, Mullins, Powell, Repka, Davenport, Fletcher,
Lomas, Chadwick (Zamora 75), Etherington, Hutchison (A Ferdinand 88),
Harewood

Queens Park Rangers: Day, Rose, Simek (Padula 87), Santos, Shittu, Bircham,
Cook (McLeod 62), Gallen, Thorpe (Ainsworth 29), Furlong, Cureton

Background

• West Ham United have faced Queens Park Rangers in 57 official matches and
they enjoy a slender lead in terms of victories having won 20 to the Hoops'
19. 18 have ended in a draw.
• West Ham United's biggest win over QPR came on 7 October 1950, Eric
Parsons scored a brace and Bill Robinson and Terry Woodgate also got on the
scoresheet in a 4-1 League Division Two win. The Hammers have, however, won
by a bigger margin in the First Southern Division, winning 4-0 in 1902.
• Queens Park Rangers' biggest win in the fixture came on 31 January 1978 in
an FA Cup meeting when they beat the Hammers 6-1 in a fourth round replay.
Bryan "Pop" Robson scored the Hammers' only goal of the game.
Last six meetings
(Premier League unless stated)

6 November 2004 - West Ham United 2-1 QPR (Championship)
16 October 2004 - QPR 1-0 West Ham United (Championship)
27 April 1996 - QPR 3-0 West Ham United
25 November 1995 - West Ham United 1-0 QPR
3 May 1995 - West Ham United 0-0 QPR
28 January 1995 - QPR 1-0 West Ham United (FA Cup)

Overall record v Queens Park Rangers (all competitions) W 20 D 18 L 19

Ten-year record

West Ham United
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points - relegated to Championship)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
Play-Offs)
2003/04 Division One 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Division One)

Queens Park Rangers
2011/12 Premier League 17th (37 points)
2010/11 Championship 1st (88 - promoted to Premier League)
2009/10 Championship 13th (57 points)
2008/09 Championship 11th ( 61 points)
2007/08 Championship 14th (58 points)
2006/07 Championship 18th (53 points)
2005/06 Championship 21st (50 points)
2004/05 Championship 11th (62 points)
2003/04 Division Two 2nd (83 points)
2002/03 Division Two 4th (83 points)

Referee
• Tonight's referee is Mark Clattenburg.
• His last West Ham United game was the stunning 4-0 win against Manchester
United in the League Cup back in November 2010.
• The 37-year-old was the man in the middle for the Championship Play-Off
semi-final first leg in May 2004 when Ipswich Town won 1-0 against the
visiting West Ham.
• Clattenburg has already refereed a number of notable matches in 2012,
including the Football League Cup final in February 2012 and the 2012
Olympics men's tournament final in August 2012.
• Clattenburg has been on the Select List since 2004, the same year he took
charge of the Division Three play-off final between Mansfield Town and
Huddersfield Town at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
• After becoming a FIFA official in 2006 at the age of 31, Clattenburg has
taken control of a number of international and UEFA Champions League
matches.

Team news

• Sam Allardyce is likely to make up to nine changes to his starting XI from
the Wigan Athletic match as the team reverts back to its more familiar
Premier League line-up. That means the likes of Jaaskelainen, Guy Demel,
Joey O'Brien, James Collins, Reid, Nolan, Diame, Matt Taylor, and Carlton
Cole could all come back in to start.
• Maiga could be pushing for his first start in the Premier League after
scoring his second goal in as many starts against Wigan. Fellow forward Andy
Carroll is expected to miss the game as he continues his recovery from a
hamstring strain.
• Yossi Benayoun could make his first start for West Ham United after
missing out on a place for the Capital One Cup tie against Wigan Athletic
after being granted leave by the club to mark the Jewish holy day of Yom
Kippur.
• Jack Collison will not play after missing the start of the season as he
continues to manage his long-term knee issues.
• QPR manager Mark Hughes has a number of defensive worries ahead of the
game, with up to four of his defenders missing. Anton Ferdinand, Jose
Bosingwa and Fabio all have hamstring problems, while Armand Traore has a
leg injury.
• There is better news in midfield though, with Adel Taarabt set to return
after recent hamstring strain
Old boys
• Anton Ferdinand, Bobby Zamora, Robert Green and Kieron Dyer could all face
their former club tonight if selected. Ferdinand made 138 appearances in
claret and blue before leaving to join Sunderland in 2008. Zamora also
departed in 2008 to go to Fulham after spending four years at the Boleyn
Ground, scoring 30 goals. Dyer also spent four years at the club before
moving to QPR in July 2011. Green played 241 games for the Hammers,
including the Play-Off final win against Blackpool in May, before departing
for QPR after his contract at West Ham ran out.

General Information
• Tickets for tonight's game are sold out.
• The weather forecast for the game is misty with maximum temperature of
13C.
• Queens Park Rangers will be producing a special 3D matchday programme for
the game, which costs just £3.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble's high hopes
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble sees no reason why West Ham United should not be aiming high this
season
30.09.2012

After playing a key role in a comfortable start to life back in the Barclays
Premier League, Mark Noble believes he has seen enough to cautiously raise
his hopes for the season. The West Ham United midfielder took part in an
engaging press conference with the national media on Saturday to round off
an action-packed week that saw him sign a new long-term contract and captain
a young side against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday. Before looking ahead to
Monday evening's fixture at Queens Park Rangers, he started by recapping how
much a new deal at his boyhood club means. "As I explained when I signed my
new contract earlier this week, I wanted it to be right for me and my
family," Noble said. "Everyone says it is a big decision to make and it was,
but I am enjoying my football and think I am probably playing the best
football I have done in a long time. "When myself and the club came to the
agreement and it all got ironed out, I was more than happy to sign. I love
it here and where I live with my family so it was a no- brainer in the end
for me to sign."

While survival must be the first objective of any newly-promoted team, Noble
believes that there is no reason why the reinforced West Ham United squad
cannot look to maintain their current top-ten position come May. Monday
night's game at Loftus Road will provide another chance for some of the
Hammers' high-profile summer recruits to catch the eye of manager Sam
Allardyce. "I was speaking to someone in pre-season and they were saying how
big a club we are. I know that and you only have to look at our fanbase. But
maybe there were questions before why we weren't as big as we should be.
"Now, if you look at who we have brought in this season - the likes of Andy
Carroll, Matt Jarvis and Momo Diame - on top of the good players we have
here already, then you can see the club is going in the right direction. "We
got promoted last year from the Championship and it is a tough league. Look
at the teams that have gone down and to get back up straight away is a
massive ask. We did that and now it is time for the club to go to the next
level. By bringing in the quality players we have, the Chairmen and the
gaffer are making that happen and long may it continue."

Canning Town-born Noble is thriving in the new holding role that Allardyce
moved him to last season, a decision that contributed to the No16 being
named Hammer of the Year and selected in the PFA Championship Team of the
Year by his peers. "I enjoy the position I play. I like getting on the ball
trying to help us play and also breaking up the opposing team's attack. I
have played under a few managers and a few different shapes and I enjoyed it
when I played further forward but I have converted back to a holding
midfielder, which allows me to tackle and get on the ball. "One of our
analysts here at the club told me that until recently, I had made the most
tackles in the Premier League this season. I just want to keep on making the
spoils, winning the ball for the team and you can see we are playing
exciting football so it is really enjoyable playing in this team. "I think
we have a good balance in the side - Nobby [Kevin Nolan] likes to get into
the box and scoring goals and I am there to sit back and let him go forward
and score those important goals. Momo [Diame] runs about everywhere and gets
involved, so it is a good mix."

Noble says he has been lucky to have been able to learn from some of the
best in his developing years at the club. "I played alongside Scott Parker
for a few seasons and then there has been Carlos [Tevez] Teddy [Sheringham]
and Bellars [Craig Bellamy]. Even though these players are not in my role,
you just learn from being around them. "You learn how to express yourself as
a player. I want to play my own game and as I said, am really enjoying my
football here."

While doing his best for his club is foremost in his mind, Noble is also
ambitious to add a senior England national team cap to his youth and
Under-21 caps, something his father, Mark Noble Senior, would certainly
embrace. "One hundred per cent yes. I am only still 25 and as you know,
there are often many late-comers in terms of age to the national side. I am
hoping if I can keep playing to the levels I am that it might happen sooner
rather later. "I know my dad also would be very happy - he travels all over
the country to watch me play and loves his football, so after making my mark
at West Ham, he would obviously love me to put on the England shirt in the
senior national side. "I feel as fit and strong as I have ever done, but I
am always looking to improve. I think both mentally and physically I am a
better player than I was two or three years ago and so hopefully that
call-up will come along. "Here at West Ham, I feel we have enough in us to
aim and finish as high as we can and go in the direction that club should be
and push on from there."

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Dylan's debut delight
WHUFC.com
Dylan Tombides will never forget his first-team debut for West Ham United
30.09.2012

Most West Ham United supporters will want to quickly forget about the
Capital One Cup third-round defeat by Wigan Athletic - but Dylan Tombides
will never forget it. The Australian forward was handed his first-team debut
as a late substitute against the Latics, 15 months after being diagnosed
with cancer. Showing incredible bravery and commitment and a typically
positive attitude, Tombides has contined to train while undergoing
treatment, impressing his coaches and team-mates alike with his infectious
enthusiasm and non-stop banter. A hugely-talented striker, Tombides has
caught the eye in training, appearing for the Development Squad in last
Friday's 4-1 win over Arsenal before being given a chance to impress at the
Boleyn Ground on Tuesday evening, after Sam Allardyce sent him on to the
pitch in front of 25,000 supporters "It was a definitely a big moment for
me," said the Perth-born teenager. "I was obviously very happy. It's what
every youngster wants - to make his debut for the first team. It was even
better to do it at Upton Park in front of thousands of fans. I was really
happy. "It's now about getting another cap, but it's one step at a time and
I was just happy with what happened on Tuesday night."

Tombides' appearance was made possible by the support network he has had
behind him over the past 15 months - most notably mum Tracyee, dad Jim,
brother Taylor and Academy physiotherapist Jon Urwin. Tracylee and Urwin
were at Tuesday's game, while Jim and Taylor sent their message of support
from Iran, where the Hammers youth-team midfielder is representing Austalia
at the AFC Under-16 Championship finals.

"Jon has been fantastic and has been there all the way through. He has been
with me at every oncology meeting I have had with doctors. He's been
absolutely fantastic. My Mum will support me no matter what I also have to
give a special mention to my Dad and brother, who have been there for me as
well. Due to Taylor's international commitments they are away in Iran and
I'd like to wish him good luck! "Taylor is an up-and-coming player. I like
him and, more importantly, Tony Carr likes him! He's a really hard worker
and does his bit for the team. That's what you look for in a player -
someone who looks out for the team rather than themselves."

At the club, Tombides has also received plenty of support from his
team-mates - most notably best pal George Moncur, who made his own
first-team debut in the Capital One Cup second-round win over Crewe
Alexandra. "I've enjoyed the laughs. Moncs is a top man and we get along
great and it's just good to be back having banter with everyone."

Having returned to training, the 18-year-old is also enjoying being part of
a Development Squad that currently sit top of Barclays U21 Premier League
Group 1. Having played alongside the likes of Rob Hall, Matthias Fanimo,
Blair Turgott and Moncur for the past few seasons, Tombides has not been
surprised by the strong start. "It's fantastic. Several youngsters were on
the pitch on Tuesday and several more were on the bench so they are always
nipping away at the manager hoping to be involved. They will get their
chances because they are all really good players."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
QPR v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
KO 20:00
30 September 2012

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Loftus Road Date: Monday, 1 October Coverage details: Live on BBC
website, updates on Radio 5 live

TEAM NEWS

QPR are missing four defenders as Anton Ferdinand, Jose Bosingwa and Fabio
all have hamstring problems, while Armand Traore has a leg injury.
Adel Taarabt, however, could return after recent hamstring strain.

West Ham midfielder Gary O'Neil has recovered from a knee injury, and Yossi
Benayoun could make his first start since moving back to the club on loan.
Modibo Maiga could keep his place with on-loan Liverpool striker Andy
Carroll (hamstring) still unlikely to play.

MATCH PREVIEW

Though reports say that Sam Allardyce's medium-term future at West Ham is in
some doubt, with the manager expected to have to wait until his contract
expires at the end of the season before discussing a new deal, life at Upton
Park is relatively rosy.
The club bounced back immediately after being relegated to the Championship
and now sit pretty in the Premier League's mid-table - 10th coming into this
game - having made a decent start to their season.
But there's a pronounced contrast at the club which lies some way west of
the Hammers within the capital's endless sprawl.
Bottom-of-the-table QPR escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth last
season, and then spent a lot of money this summer to ensure that their team
is upwardly mobile. Clearly, it has not worked out like that so far - the
Hoops have two points from a possible 15 - but boss Mark Hughes insists they
must not panic, and that circumstances are mitigating.
"For the most part our performances have been fine up to a point," he said.
"Obviously we need to see games out. We have selection problems at the
moment in a key area of the field in defence.
"We have had too much of a turnover in terms of selection and personnel
changes so that doesn't lend well to having that continuity of performance.
We've created some decent football in the initial period, but it was always
going to take time.
"We're not going to hide behind the fact it is not the best of starts nor
the start we wanted.
"We understood that it could happen and that it would take us time to get
the team functioning as we wanted. The way I work and my staff work is we
don't get too high and we don't get too low.
"What we do every single day is make sure the team is prepared and we give
them the best chance to be successful. Over the long term that has been
proved in all the teams I have been involved with."
In short, Hughes is adamant his methods will put the struggling west
Londoners on the right path. Pressure - what pressure?
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
These two clubs have only met six times in the Premier League, with all
those matches between 1993 and 1996.
West Ham only won one of them, with the Hoops winning three times (they drew
twice).
In 57 matches between the two clubs across all competitions, the Hammers
have 20 victories to QPR's 19.
QPR
Have conceded 11 Premier League goals so far this season. Only Southampton
(15) have shipped more.
The Hoops have scored three Premier League goals so far this season. Only
Norwich (2) have fewer.
Bobby Zamora - QPR's only Premier League goalscorer this season - scored 18
goals in 79 league appearances for West Ham from 2005 to 2008. He has failed
to score in two league matches against them since leaving, losing on both
occasions.
West Ham
Have kept three clean-sheets in total this season - the same as Arsenal and
West Brom. Only Chelsea (4) have kept more.
The club have not won in their last eight Premier League away matches (since
a 3-1 victory at Blackpool in February 2011).
Kevin Nolan has scored three of the club's five Premier League goals this
season, netting in each of their home matches. He is already a quarter of
the way to his best Premier League scoring season of 12 goals (for Newcastle
in 2010/11).

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Mark Noble admits arrival of Andy Carroll and Matt Jarvis convinced him to
stay at West Ham
Last Updated: September 30, 2012 2:25pm
SSN

Mark Noble has admitted the arrival of Andy Carroll and Matt Jarvis at West
Ham convinced him to sign a new contract with the club. Noble has been with
the Hammers since signing schoolboy terms more than 10 years ago but he
admits he was concerned about being able to achieve his goals at the club.
But the capture of winger Jarvis from Wolves for a club-record £10.75m and
the loan signing of Carroll from Liverpool has rejuvenated Noble's faith in
West Ham's ability to attract top talent. "I remember talking to someone
during pre-season and they were saying how big the club is," said Noble.
"Our (previous) record signing (Savio) was only £9m so you have a look at
stuff like that and think, 'Is that as big as it should be?' I always
questioned that. "But now we have signed Jarvis and brought in Andy Carroll
and top players. To survive in the Premier League that is what you need to
do. "It was time for the club to go to the next level and not be in limbo.
We've signed some top players and I think everyone is buzzing. "It's brought
a big lift to the club and it's a lot better training out there with
top-quality players." Before Carroll joined on transfer deadline day, Noble
was being linked with a move to Fulham.

No-brainer

"I don't know if I thought that I might be leaving," he said. "Sometimes,
with contract negotiations, there can be nit-picking stuff that you're not
quite happy with because it was a long-term deal. "If I'd been single and
living in a flat on my own, I don't think I would have thought twice about
it. "But I've got two young children and a wife so I needed to make sure it
wasn't just about me. "Thankfully, we came to an agreement because I love
living at home - I'm from around here and I love living in London so it was
a no-brainer in the end."

Noble was confident West Ham could aim for more than simply survival in the
Premier League as they look to cement further their status in the top half
of the table by beating QPR. The game had looked set to see Noble reunited
with a player who decided this summer he could not realise his ambitions at
Upton Park, Robert Green. But the goalkeeper's move to Rangers has arguably
backfired, with Julio Cesar having taken his place. Noble refused to put the
boot in, hailing Green's contribution to West Ham's promotion and insisting
the keeper would bounce back. He added: "Some people say the grass is never
greener on the other side. But you don't know, obviously, until you've been
on the other side."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Club's Summer Signings Convinced Noble to Sign a New Contract!
By S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die

It is interesting that Mark Noble has stated that it was the summer
acquisition of Matt Javis and Andy Carroll was an important factor in his
decision to sign a new Hammers contract. In an interview, Noble remarked
that he has had an 'up and down' time during his Hammers career and had
wondered about the basic ambition of the club. However, the club's transfer
policy since last season's promotion, particularly signing Jarvis and
Carroll, convinced him that the club are trying to push on to another level.
That, allied to the proposed move to the Olympic Stadium, has given Noble
the belief that new, exciting times lay ahead for the Hammers. Lets hope
that he is right. Goodness, our long suffering fans deserve better times and
a honour or two along the way!

Arguably, that improvement in our prospects will be founded on a strong
squad, with compeition in all 11 positions. It is significant that the
club's Assistant, Neil McDonald, has recently been reported as stating that
players will need to consistently perform to retain their places in the
first team. And those who are currently out of the team, will need to
impress in training, await their first team opportunity and then grab it
with both hands! That is exactly the way that it should be at a top PL club.
With keen competition for places driving up performance and consistency
levels across the board. It seems from Sam Allardyce's post-match comments,
after the Wigan defeat, that an unnamed player(s) had been unhappy with
being out of the team and felt that they should be playing. It is only right
that players feel that way and desire to play, but the prevalent ethos in
the squad must promote dedication and a determination to work hard in order
to make it happen, rather than festering discontent. But for that to work,
selection needs to be based solely on merit, with no automatic selections.

Finally, a word of belated congratulations for Dylan Tombides on making his
first team debut in the Wigan match. It is a real tribute to the bravery,
dedication and commitment of Dylan that he has fought the illness that
afflicted him, endured the treatments necessary to regain his health and is
now re-emerging back in the first team frame. Apparently, Dylan has
continued to train through his ongoing treatments and has been an example
and inspiration to all at the club, with his determination and good humour.
I sincerely hope that last Tuesdays appearance is the first in a long and
successful career with West Ham Utd FC.

Dylan Tombides certainly has the talent and it also appears that he
possesses the dedication, determination and sheer will pwer to make it
happen. And his example should be inspiration to the other youth prospects
at the club, who have not had to confront the health obstacles and
challenges experienced by the Australian youngster.

SJ. Chandos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
£10m Jarvis just can't buy a start
Published: 30th September 2012
The Sun

MATT JARVIS may be West Ham's record buy but No 2 Neil McDonald still
insists the winger must wait his chance. Jarvis, 26, joined from Wolves for
£10million in August yet has started only one Premier League match. McDonald
said: "Matt's biding his time. There's a lot of competition but he's
definitely ready to go back in. "Our gaffer Sam Allardyce has always had a
reputation that if you play well you stay in the team. "Whoever can't get
in, and it might be a record signing, they have to wait for their chance to
come. "And when it does come they've got to be ready."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fight for the right: West Ham record signing Jarvis told to earn starting
place
The Mirror
QPR v West Ham: It's been a miserable start to his Hammers career for the
£10million man from Wolves... PLUS Hoilett says QPR honeymoon OVER
Jamie McDonald

West Ham's club record signing Matt Jarvis has been told to fight hard to
win his place back. Jarvis has suffered a disappointing start to life in
east London following his £10.75million move from Wolves in the summer.Big
things were expected of the England winger, but he has only started one
league game and has yet to show his best form. Jarvis was left on the bench
for the last two games against Norwich and Sunderland. And with West Ham
only suffering one defeat, boss Sam Allardyce (right) has refused to change
his attacking line-up. Jarvis did make an impact when he came on as a
second-half substitute against Sunderland last week, but assistant boss Neil
McDonald insists his expensive price tag will not automatically warrant him
a place in the starting line-up. McDonald said: "Sam's always had a
reputation that if you play well, you stay in the team. Whoever can't get in
the team, and it might be a record signing, they have to wait for their
chance. "And when that chance does come along, they've got to be ready. "The
game he started at Swansea, we didn't play as well as we had done before.
The players that have come in have done really well against Fulham and
Norwich. "He's biding his time and when a new player comes in it gives them
a chance to sit back and look at everything and see how it works and enjoy
training without too much pressure. "He's definitely ready to go back in the
team if the manager picks him. There's competition for places in the team.
"What will he bring in the long term? He'll bring excellent retention of the
ball, he'll bring balls in the box to help people score goals and he's high
energy as well. Those three things are vital to any team."

West Ham's last away win in the Premier League came back in February 2011,
but McDonald is convinced they are a different proposition on their travels
and will be hoping to record all three points at Loftus Road. He said:
"We've only played a couple of away games this season. In the Championship
we had a formidable record last season and we've got to try to take that on.
"It's a lot more difficult when you come into the Premier League but we got
a good point at Norwich and we're looking forward to going to QPR to try and
get our first three points. "The London derbies are difficult but it's a
game we hope we can get something out of."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
JUNIOR HOILETT: I'M ALL PREPARED FOR WEST HAM
Daily Star
Junior Hoilett
1st October 2012 By Paul Brown

JUNIOR HOILETT claims struggling QPR will be ready for former mentor Sam
Allardyce's long-ball tactics today. The Rangers forward played under
Allardyce at Blackburn and knows all about the West Ham manager's style. But
he insists QPR will be ready after a dry-run last Wednesday against Reading,
who knocked Rangers out of the Capital One Cup at Loftus Road. Hoilett
(left), whose side have yet to win this season, said: "We've been unlucky.
But we'll shape up at the back. Monday will be the same kind of long balls
we faced against Reading. "Sam has a big target man up front too. We'll just
have to cope with that and work as a team to get around it. Sam taught me a
lot when I was at Blackburn. He's a great ­manager – but I'm looking forward
to getting a few points off him!"
Hoilett scored his first goal for the club since his free transfer from
Ewood Park in the 3-2 defeat to R­eading, but admits confidence is low. He
added: "That first win would take a lot of pressure off. There is pressure
on us." West Ham assistant Neil McDonald reckons winger Matt Jarvis is ready
to show why Allardyce paid a club record £10m to buy him from Wolves. The
25-year-old has only started one Premier League match but McDonald has
tipped Jarvis to make his mark. "Matt's biding his time," he said.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Parkes primed for QPR return
WHUFC.com
Phil Parkes is looking forward to Monday's clash between his two former
clubs
01.10.2012

Monday's Barclays Premier League fixture between Queens Park Rangers and
West Ham United will bring a lot of memories flooding back for Phil Parkes.
The great Hammers goalkeeper spent nine seasons at Loftus Road before moving
to east London for a world-record £765,000 fee in 1979, helping the Super
Hoops to gain promotion from Division Two and finish as runners-up in
Division One in 1976 under the management of former West Ham forward Dave
Sexton.
Parkes played in arguably Rangers' greatest-ever side, lining up alongside
England captain Gerry Francis, mercurial midfielder Stan Bowles and Republic
of Ireland striker Don Givens, among others.
After moving across London, Parkes was voted Hammer of the Year and lifted
the FA Cup in 1980 before helping the Hammers to finish third in Division
One in 1986.
The stopper told West Ham TV he has hugely fond memories of his long spells
with both clubs.
WATCH PHIL PARKES' INTERVIEW IN FULL ON WEST HAM TV
"At QPR, we came second in Division Two in 1974 and got promoted and then we
really got it together and Dave Sexton started building a side that was
absolutely incredible to watch. We finished second in the league but were by
far the best team that year and should have won it.
"We lost out by one point to Liverpool who pipped us about 12 days after our
season had finished. It probably wouldn't happen now because everyone has to
play on the same final day.
"That was probably the highlight of my time there and then I came across to
West Ham. I was very happy at QPR and the transfer came out of the blue but
Mr Lyall came along and the rest is history.
"In 1976 we had Gerry Francis who was then the England captain. He was a
fantastic player, a really strong midfield player with incredible vision and
who could score goals as well. He was also a brilliant penalty taker.
"We had Stan Bowles as well who really was kind of the Lionel Messi of his
day because we couldn't quite believe what he could do. They always said, if
he could pass a betting shop like he could pass a ball he'd have been a very
wealthy man!"
Parkes came across his old club often following his record-breaking switch
to the Boleyn Ground, most notably when he flew in on Concorde for one
victory and another when he saved a penalty from old pal Francis.
"We played them on the old artificial pitch at Loftus Road and Frank
McAvennie had been away to play for Scotland in a 1986 World Cup qualifying
play-off and, unbeknown to the rest of the team because John Lyall told me
not to tell anybody, I had been away in Spain playing golf at a charity
event with [legendary golf commentator and former professional] Peter
Alliss!
"I flew in on the Friday night on Concorde and Frank flew in from Australia
and the next day we went to QPR and won one-nil with Frank scoring the goal,
so everything was OK when it could have all backfired!
"Also, when I got Hammer of the Year in 1981 we beat QPR 3-0 near the end of
the season and I saved a penalty from Gerry Francis, so that another
memorable moment."
Concentrating on Monday's fixture, Parkes has done some filming for Sky
Sports that will be broadcast in the run-up to the showdown between his two
former clubs.
When pressed about who he would like to prevail, the 62-year-old is not
willing to nail his colours to either club's mast. However, he does feel the
Hammers can take advantage of the fact that Mark Hughes has so many
newly-signed players in his squad.
"Sky Sports came to the Sunderland game to film me working in the lounges,
signing autographs and having photographs with people and to see what we do
here. I did some filming at QPR on Wednesday which was nice because I hadn't
been back there in quite a while.
"I am looking forward to the game but it's always a difficult one for me
because I had nine very good and happy years at QPR and then eleven years
here. It's always a fixture that is in my heart because these are two teams
which are very, very close to me and I have fond memories of both.
"I always wish for a draw and for it to be a really good game! It won't
upset anybody then and I can feel OK about it.
"I think QPR have got a very strong squad but the good thing about playing
them now is that it is going to take time for them to blend in because they
have basically got a new team there. It does take time to get to know one
another's games.
"You only have to take the goalkeeping situation. They started off with
Robert Green and now they have Julio Cesar in there so it's quite a
different team.
"I watched them against Tottenham on the TV and they were brilliant in the
first half but, as soon as Spurs got a goal, there was only one side that
was ever going to win it. They're going to take some time to gel together,
so we're playing them at a good time, I think.
"I think it will be a very tough game. I think we will do well, though, and
if we can come away with a point that will do us fine."

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Macca on Monday
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald and West Ham United are chasing their first away win at Queens
Park Rangers on Monday
01.10.2012

Neil McDonald is expecting West Ham United to make a number of changes from
the team that suffered defeat against Wigan Athletic in the Capital One Cup
last week.
The likes of Jussi Jaaskelainen, Guy Demel, Winston Reid, James Collins,
Momo Diame, Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole all sat out the defeat and are
likely to be recalled as the Hammers target their 21st win against the Hoops
on Monday evening. A three-point return would also be West Ham United's
first away win of the season, with assistant manager McDonald stating his
belief that success simply rides on the side rediscovering their
record-breaking away form from the Championship last term.
"We've only played a couple of away games this season so far," said
McDonald. "In the Championship we had a formidable record last season and
we've got to try to take that on.
"It's a lot more difficult when you come into the Premier League but we got
a good point away from home at Norwich and we're looking forward to going to
QPR to try and get our first three points.
"The London derby games are difficult and there's local rivalry there. We'll
be looking forward to the game and it's something we hope we can get
something out of."
Monday's hosts have a number of injury concerns in defence with former
Hammer Anton Ferdinand among those doubtful for the fixture. Despite their
problems at the back, 'Macca' is expecting the match to be as tough as
anything West Ham United have faced in the Barclays Premier League so far.
"They've come out of the blocks strongly in the last two games and we have
to be ready for that. We have to be patient and then impose our own game on
them.
"They've made a few signings and it does take time to gel. You might be
playing a different formation or a different way. It takes time to get to
know everyone and how the system and the dynamics work between the team.
Hopefully it doesn't all come together for them on Monday night."
After registering more than five times as many shots on goal and 200 more
passes than Sunderland last weekend, McDonald may rightly feel that the
Hammers have a chance of leaving west London with a result. The impact of
Matt Jarvis from the bench in that game repeatedly had fans on their feet
and Big Sam and McDonald must now decide if the summer recruit will maintain
his place after starting against Wigan on Tuesday.
McDonald said: "Matt is biding his time and when a new player comes in it
gives them a chance to sit back and look at everything and see how it works
and enjoy training without too much pressure. He's definitely ready to go
back in the team if the manager picks him. There's competition for places in
the team.
"It's testament to everyone else that's in the team. Sam's always had a
reputation that if you play well you stay in the team. Whoever can't get in
the team, and it might be a record signing, they have to wait for their
chance to come along and when that chance does come along they've got to be
ready.
"Long-term I think he'll bring excellent retention of the ball, he'll bring
balls in the box to help people score goals and he's high energy as well.
Those three things are vital to any team."
Modibo Maiga did his claims for a starting spot no harm at all with another
goal on his second start for the club against the Latics. Macca is happy to
see that the Mali international is edging ever closer to his full Barclays
Premier League debut.
"I think that his chance will be coming. It takes time for the foreign
players when they come in to adjust, not just to the training but to the
pace of the Premier League. He's gradually got better and better as time's
gone on and now he's ready and waiting for his chance."
Although the QPR match may come too soon for Maiga's fellow forward and new
recruit Andy Carroll, McDonald has been impressed with his desire to get
back to full fitness. While talk of his return for the Arsenal game has led
to nearly every ticket for the game already selling out, McDonald and the
coaching staff are taking it day by day.
"We have to be very careful to make sure he's fit and that the injury is
gone altogether. It will be a big blow if he comes back too early and
injures himself as he's an important member of the squad. He will be a big
part of our goal of staying in the Premier League when he is fit.
"You saw when he first came in against Fulham that he gave the players and
the crowd a lift and we have to make sure that he is fit and well before we
put him back in."
The Wigan game was only the Hammers' second home defeat of the calendar year
and although exiting a cup is never a pleasant experience, McDonald believes
one of the few positives is that the Hammers can now focus on their league
form until the FA Cup campaign begins early next year.
"When you get beaten 4-1 you deserve a bit of criticism. If it had been in
the league it would have hurt that little bit more.
"It's in the League Cup, but our main priority is the league form. It is
disappointing and it's a little kick up the backside to the ones that have
been banging on the manager's door and didn't really perform as well as we
know they can."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Queens Park Rangers v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 1st October 2012
By: Preview Percy

We next return to league action on Monday (1 October already!) against
Queen's Park Rangers at Rangers Stadium or, if you prefer, Loftus Road.
Kick-off is at 8 and it's on space telly should you not be one of the lucky
1,800 to have been granted tickets.

Our hosts currently lie bottom of the league with two points from their five
games so far. Having given the squad a close-season overhaul, they raised
eyebrows with an opening day 5-0 home defeat to Swansea. This was followed
up with a rather fortuitous 1-1 draw at Norwich (getting the right side of a
couple of poor refereeing decisions en route), a 3-1 reverse at Man City, a
2-1 defeat at Spurs, and a 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea. The latter match
was, of course, overshadowed by the handshake shenanigans over the sorry
excuse for a human being that is John Terry who is still complaining about
being hard done by to anyone that will listen despite getting a ban and fine
about a third of the size they ought to have been.

Their start to the season will be something of a disappointment to majority
shareholder – and one time Hammers' suitor – Tony Fernandes. The squad
received a radical overhaul as Mark Hughes had his first summer at the club.
Hughes took over from the sacked (tee hee) Neil Warnock, whose claim that he
is good enough to manage in the Premiership is now so obviously a lie that
the only people deluded enough to believe it are probably him and his wife.
And I bet Mrs Warnock would probably cough and change the subject were you
to raise the matter in conversation.

We're spoilt for choice for ex-Hammers. One of the first signings to arrive
in Shepherd's Bush this summer was Rob Green. Green was, understandably in
my opinion, somewhat dismayed a couple of years back to discover that the
new contract he had signed placed him well down the list of high earners at
the Boleyn. Especially when you consider the actual contributions made by
some of those ahead of him in that list. Having been refused a pay review it
appears that Green decided to see his contract out and move on.

I don't have a problem with that personally. In the couple of seasons that
passed while the contract ran down nobody could accuse Green of not pulling
his weight. Of course, where the player's judgement might be seen to be
lacking is in his choice of destination club on leaving the Boleyn. I
suppose it must have seemed like a good idea at the time, joining a club
with a rich owner willing to spend a few bob on the team. However, Green had
a bit of a 'mare on the opening day.

The subsequent signing of Brazilian 'keeper Julio Caesar had all the
appearance of a knee-jerk reaction, though it is possible that negotiations
for the signing of the then Inter custodian may have already been in
progress prior to the Swansea match. Either way, it is believed that Green
is less than impressed with the turn of events as they stand and I for one
wouldn't be surprised to see our former no.1 elsewhere this time next
season. As it is we are most likely to see him on the bench.

As mentioned, Anton Ferdinand is another ex-Hammer in the squad. On his day,
as we well know, he can be a useful defender. However, as we also well know,
he has, over the years, shown a propensity to a lack of concentration at key
moments. I may have related this tale before but Alan Pardew once paid us a
visit here at the Avram Grant Home For The Bewildered (of course, it was the
"Marco Boogers" home back then).

Talking about Ferdinand, Pardew made reference to the player's occasional
lapses and remarked that he'd sent him to see a Sports Psychologist to see
if something could be done. We enquired how the session had gone only to be
told: "he forgot to turn up". Whether or not he remembers to turn up for
this one may be irrelevant as he is listed as having a hamstring strain so
he is unlikely to be playing.

On the right side of midfield, they have someone called Kieron Dyer playing
for them. According to my record books he is listed as having spent a few
seasons with us but I'll be damned if I can remember him doing so, Seriously
though, if you believe in some form of reincarnation-based karma, he must
have been someone particularly evil in a previous life to have been so
unlucky with injury in this one. If their lives hadn't overlapped my money
would have been on Piers Morgan.

Another who made little impression in his time at the Boleyn was Academy
graduate Hogan Ephrahim. The midfielder/forward made one sub appearance for
us in the League Cup about seven years ago and spent much of his time out on
loan, including a spell at QPR for whom he signed in 2007. Since they
started spending money at Loftus Road, Ephrahim has seen himself pretty much
on the fringes of things and has had spells on loan at Leeds, Charlton &
Bristol City in recent years. If we see him about for this one it'll be on
the bench.

A player with slightly more significance for us is Bobby Zamora. Z-man you
will recall, scored the goal against Preston at Cardiff that saw us promoted
in 2005. He scored a number of important goals for us during his time as a
Hammer, a mazy run at Birmingham and that effort at Blackburn that, to the
uneducated eye, might have looked as if it had been inadvertently cleared
off the line by Carlos Tevez.

It also looked that way to the educated eye. And also to eyes with dark
glasses on. Looking the other way. In fact the only people who thought that
had crossed the line were Howard Webb and his assistant, a fact that eluded
Lord Griffiths and the deluded lying hypocrite that is Neil Warnock. Zamora
is, in my opinion, underrated as a striker. I'm not saying that he's a
world-beater but, in a world that sees fit to award multiple England caps to
Darren Bent, he probably has a right to feel a little hard done by. I know I
do.

Whilst we're on the subject, the transfer of Argentinian midfielder
Alejandro Faurlin exposed the authorities for the incompetent and corrupt
shambles that they really are. You will recall that in the Tevez affair we
fell foul of a rule that nobody knew existed . Having been punished to the
tune of over £5million plus having to pay for Sheffield United's own
incompetence the FA decided to clarify the rules relating to third-party
ownership of players so that everyone knew where they stood. So quite how
they came to the conclusion that a deliberate flouting of the re-written
rule that everyone was now aware of was only worth a fine of £875,000 one
can only speculate.

Tellingly, Colin, who not long previously had been firmly of the opinion
that such transgressions merited points deductions, went very quiet on the
subject lest it affect his chances of putting "Football League Championship
Winning Manager" on his CV. Although the signing of the player pre-dated
Warnock's arrival in West London he was quite happy to select and profit
from the availability of a player who by his own twisted logic, must have
contributed to their title win.

A familiar name on the QPR team sheet will be that of Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Although not actually an ex-Hammer he sort of feels like one to those of us
who have been using this site for any length of time. For those who are
relatively new to these parts, during a transfer window a few years ago
someone posted that the player was definitely at the place where we do our
medicals. He really was. Honest.

As far as we are aware he's still there and the "Shaun Wright-Phillips
medical" has become a running in-joke which resurfaces every so often –
usually when the window opens. For my part I believe that the medical centre
was short of supplies and that they're just waiting for the delivery of
those little wooden things they flatten your tongue with while they ask you
to say "aaaaah" so they can complete the medical. After all it would be
sheer folly for a professional club to sign a player without checking his
ability to say "aaaaah", wouldn't it.

And so to us. Well the League Cup match was disappointing but, in the grand
scheme of things it's not something I think anyone should lose a lot of
sleep over. That said I don't believe that Mr Allardyce didn't take the
competition seriously. We put out a side that, whilst light on
experience,still ought to have had enough to make a game of it – and for 20
minutes or so we did. Maiga's goal was all about the hard work done in
putting the opposition under pressure. For whatever reason we failed to keep
that up and a number of individuals did themselves no favours in terms of
first team contention. Still, move on and deal with more important matters.

We will, of course, see the return of a large number of nicely rested
players for this one. JJ will be back in goal and Collins & Reid will resume
their partnership in the defence. Benayoun will come back into contention
after his absence for religious reasons whilst Carlton's beleaguered knees
will also have been grateful for not having had to stay up late on Tuesday
night. Nolan will return whilst Maiga – who was not included in the
manager's list of "things to be critical of" in midweek – may be hoping for
a start this time round. Those sitting in the Shaun Wright-Phillips Memorial
Medical Centre at the moment are Andy Carroll – another week or so for him I
suspect, Jack Collison – who is still shepherding his knee through recovery-
and Gary O'Neil whose injury on Tuesday night doesn't seem to have been too
serious.

Prediction? Well their problem has been scoring goals this season. In the
league they've mustered but three – all of which have come courtesy of
Zamora. Whenever we've had problems this season they've largely been self
inflicted. If we can keep the silly errors out of the picture I reckon we
can get all three out of this one. I would go for a clean sheet but the "Law
Of The Ex" means that Zamora is likely to register, I'll therefore be
looking to place the Avram Grant Rest Home For The Bewildered John Terry
Appeal fighting fund (£2.50 donated by someone by the name of N Griffin) on
a 2-1 away win as the memory of the League Cup exit becomes merely a
footnote in the grand scheme of things.

Enjoy the game!


When last we met: Won 2-1 (h) A Harewood brace (1 pen) was enough to gain us
revenge against a Rangers side that had kicked lumps off us in sneaking a
1-0 win on their own patch.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg. A poor ref whose debts in his personal life led
to dismissal by PGMO. Note that it was his personal life rather than his
inconsistent performances that got him the chop – against which he
successfully appealed. Last seen by us officiating in the 4-0 victory in the
snow over Man Utd in the League Cup, which just goes to show what a good
performance that really was.

Danger Man: Bobby Zamora. The scorer of all their goals so far this season
and an ex-Hammer to boot. Shaun Wright-Phillips als has a habit of turning
it on against us.

Daft Fact Of The Week: QPR have had nearly 20 grounds in their history –
including a couple of spells at the now sadly gone White City stadium. They
have plans to relocate again over the next few years. One of the proposals
being speculated on is a move to the site currently occupied by the BBC TV
centre up the road, which is earmarked for redevelopment in a few years'
time once everyone's been moved on from there. The fact that the BBC site is
300 yards closer to Leyton has been noted by Barry Hearn, who is already
licking his lips in anticipation at the prospect of lining his pockets, er,
I mean compensation.


Stat man John: Northcutt's corner

Head to Head
Pld 57; West Ham Utd 20, QPR 19, Draws 18.

Biggest Win
7th October 1950: West Ham Utd 4-1 QPR (Boleyn Ground, Division One)

Heaviest Defeat
1st January 1978: QPR 6-1 West Ham Utd (Loftus Road, FA Cup)

First Meeting
16th January 1909: QPR 0-0 West Ham Utd (Park Royal Ground, FA Cup)

Friendlies
November 1953: QPR 2-4 West Ham Utd (Parker, Sexton 2, Dick)
August 1971: QPR 2-0 West Ham Utd

They Played For Both
Kieron Dyer; Nigel Quashie; Anton Ferdinand; Danny Gabbidon; Bobby Zamora;
Phil Parkes; Bert Hawkins; Frank Neary; Clive Allen; Martin Allen; Paul
Goddard; Andy Impey; Tim Breacker; Ludek Miklosko; Trevor Sinclair; Dave
Mangnall; Leroy Rosenior; Robert Green; Hogan Ephraim; Iain Dowie; Bill
Nelson; George Petchey; Keith Rowland; Les Ferdinand; Jack Young; Steve
Lomas.

Early baths
1994-95: Martin Allen (h)

Bossing It
Former Hammer Dave Sexton was the QPR manager between 1974 and 1977 - whilst
former manager Glen Roeder was the QPR captain in 1978.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
QPR v West Ham preview
Injury problems remain for Hughes; Benayoun could make first start
Last Updated: October 1, 2012 1:08pm
SSN

Bottom-of-the-table Queens Park Rangers will search for their first Premier
League win of the season in their London derby against West Ham United on
Monday night.

Mark Hughes is coming under scrutiny after a host of summer recruits have so
far not transformed into instant success and have only collected two points.

QPR were also knocked out of the Capital One Cup last week by Reading and,
while a number of injuries have been a factor, there is a disappointment at
Loftus Road.

Sam Allardyce's West Ham will therefore make the short journey in London
hoping to take advantage of their capital neighbours' poor start to the
season.

And the Hammers look set to be boosted by the speedy return of England
striker Andy Carroll from a hamstring injury.

Carroll has been missing for almost a month after limping out of his debut
against Fulham and it was thought the Loftus Road clash would come too soon
for his return.

But Allardyce revealed on Monday afternoon that he expected the on-loan
Liverpool striker to play, with the Hammers eager for some added firepower.

Last season's Championship play-off winners have lost just once in their
five matches back in the Premier League but they have drawn their past two
games.

West Ham, who were themselves dumped out of the League Cup after being
defeated by Wigan Athletic, have also failed to score in five of their last
six visits to Loftus Road and QPR have won six and lost none of the last
eight home games against the Hammers.

Allardyce also has a terrible record against Hughes having won just two of
11 meetings, although this will be their first where one or other has not
been Blackburn Rovers boss.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Exclusive - Allardyce confirms Carroll fit to face QPR
By talkSPORT | Monday, October 1, 2012

Sam Allardyce has confirmed to talkSPORT that Andy Carroll will make his
West Ham return against QPR tonight.

The striker, on loan from Liverpool, suffered a hamstring injury on his
Hammers debut against Fulham at the start of September.
Carroll had been expected to be sidelined for around six weeks but the
23-year-old has made a speedy recovery and is set to start the London derby
at Loftus Road.
"He's going to be back tonight," said Allardyce, speaking to Keys & Gray.


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